March 20: The Cape Cod Chamber’s monthly Business After Hours is 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Cape Cod Healthcare’s new Wilkens Outpatient complex at 35 Gonsalves Road, Hyannis. Register at 508-775-7778.

Citizen Workshops

Catholic Social Services is hosting a Citizenship Workshop March 21 at Snow Library, 67 Main St., Orleans (6:30-8 pm). CSS legal staff will assist Legal Permanent Residents with N-400 Application for Naturalization and answer questions about the citizenship process. For questions, call 508-674-4681 or 508-771-6771.

Youth summit needs you

If you’d like to share insights about your career with area high school students at a Youth Summit March 16 at Cape Cod Community College, the Barnstable County Council on Children Youth and Families' Effective Education Committee is holding a Youth Summit for area high school students and would welcome your participation.

The summit runs from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.; volunteers will lead workshops between 9 a.m. and noon. More information is available at 508-775-5900.

Geek Girl Boot Camp

A hands-on technology conference for women and men of all ages and knowledge levels, to learn everything you need to know about computers – 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. March 17 at 4Cs in West Barnstable. Cape Cod Chamber members receive 20 percent off the registration fee of $169. www. geekgirlcamp.com/

Creative collaboration

The 5th Annual Creative Collaborative Conference, hosted by the Arts Foundation of Cape Cod, is set for March 20, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Cape Codder Resort & Spa in Hyannis. Registration for the conference and luncheon reception is $35. Businesses and arts organizations may register by emailing Kelley O’Brien,
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Registration and information info is online at www.artsfoundation.org or by calling 508-362-0066.

ServSafe Applied Food Safety Training

The Cape Cod Cooperative Extension offers a ServSafe certification training program beginning at 9 a.m. March 21 at Eastham Town Hall, 2500 State Highway. For more information, call 508-375-6697.

• March 28: A five-course meal, with featured winery Maison Louis Latour, known for the quality of its red and white wines and for blending tradition with innovation. $75. For information or reservations, call 508-778-8588, ext. 2.

Top awards at Entrepreneurs’ weekend

At the 4th Annual Entrepreneurs’ Weekend organized by the Cape Cod Chamber, several teams scored wins in the competition:

• First place went to Grill-Its, led by Christopher Van Vleck. The team won $2,500 to advance their business plan to launch a new outdoor grilling fuel.

• Second place was snagged by SnaggerZ, led by Joanne Armstrong with an innovative concept for a shoelace locking device.

• Third place honors went to Second Nature Gardenworks, led by Shannon Goheen, for the re-launch of a landscape design company.

A new prize, recognizing best technology ideas, went to Carl Persson’s team, Creek Power, which featured a plan to utilize estuary salt and fresh water in new energy producing systems.

NESAA receives grant

The New England Society for Abandoned Animals in Osterville has received a $5,000 grant from the ASPCA to support NESAA’s “Toms and Moms Spay-Neuter Program.” Funds will support the sterilization of cats in the Hyannis area, to assist eligible low-income pet owners, or as intervention for pets’ health and well-being.

Historical society grant awards

The Falmouth Historical Society is the recipient of two recent grants: The Falmouth Fund of the Cape Cod Foundation awarded the society $1,800 to be used for audio/visual equipment in the new Education Center currently under construction; while the Foundation’s Gordon T. Heald Fund presented a $20,000 grant to be used for visitor amenities in the new building.

The Society’s new Education Center will open in late summer and will provide a new venue for programs, community events and improved archival storage. 508-548-4857, www.falmouthhistoricalsociety.org.

Local broker earns sales award

Donna Schulze, broker/owner of Seaside Village in Osterville, has earned the Century 21 CENTURION Producer Award for her 2011 sales success. The award recognizes sales associates who earn $190,000 in sales production or 60 closed transaction sides in a calendar year. She was also awarded the Quality Service Pinnacle Award for 2011, based on emailed consumer surveys received after the purchase or sale of a home.

Sotheby’s agent recognized

Pat Thatcher of Sotheby’s International Realty in West Falmouth has earned recognition as one of the top 1,000 sales associates of the fourth quarter of 2011 from NRT, the nation’s largest residential real estate brokerage company.

BNI holds Hyannis meetings

The COMM chapter of Business Network International holds weekly meetings featuring a speaker Thursdays at 7 a.m. at the Hyannis Golf Club on Route 132. Contact Jack Mason at 508-771-1427 or
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Cape Cod Networkers

The group holds its weekly Wednesday meetings from 6 to 7 p.m. at the Sons of Erin Cape Cod, 633 Main St. (Route 28), West Yarmouth. The group seeks to enable good business relationships among fellow professionals, and to share strategies and ideas through a solid networking foundation. For more info, contact Cyndi Swan at
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Worthy donation

Your car or truck may be worth more as a donation than as a trade-in. Call the Mass. Association for the Blind (1-888-613-2777) for details. There’s free tow, quick pick-up, and it’s tax deductible.

Website SEEDed

South Eastern Economic Development (SEED) Corp. has launched a newly designed Web site, containing information on starting up, expanding and obtaining financing for small businesses. There are links to loan programs and local resources as well as technical assistance providers. More info at 508-822-1020 or www.seedcorp.com.

Foreclosure prevention

The Housing Assistance Corporation on Cape Cod offers free mortgage counseling for all local residents with questions about their mortgages. To set up an appointment with a counselor, call Cathy Finn at 508-771-5400.

Five Star Rehab supports veterans

Five Star Rehabilitation & Wellness is collecting non-perishable food items for the food pantry at the Nam Veterans Association of the Cape & Islands. Items may be dropped off at the Five Star clinic in the Village Marketplace, 269 Stevens St., Hyannis, Mon.-Fri. 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Five Star will deliver the items to the pantry. More info at 508-790-2700.